More than 2,000 people showed up to a tea party rally at the parking lot of an Addison restaurant to protest President Barack Obama's proposed health care reform plan, high taxes and increases in government spending.
Organizers of the Tea Party said the North Texas crowd was their biggest yet.
"This turnout, in the middle of a workday on a Friday morning, is phenomenal. This is absolutely awesome," said Deborah Johns, vice chair for the Tea Party Express. "I think Dallas has delivered the biggest one yet since we left Sacramento."
The Tea Party Express Caravan began its trip across America in Sacramento, Calif., on Aug. 28 and plan to end its cross-country marathon in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 12 for a taxpayer rally.
Neither the tea party organizers, nor the restaurant managers expected such large crowds and weren't prepared to accommodate so many cars. Traffic jams and parking problems ensued, and Dallas police were later called out to direct traffic.
Organizers said their supporters are tired of higher taxes and too much government spending.
Obama will address Congress on the health care reform legislation before Congress next week.
